People from bordering villages hardly visit the Pernem market as it is convenient for them to travel to Banda or Dodamarg for daily shopping of essential commodities etc. It is learnt that since these people used to travel to Banda and Dodamarg for shopping they had formed a good rapport with the shopkeepers, who at times allowed them to purchase commodities on credit. Commodity prices in Banda and Dodamarg markets are quite low, which attract a large number of people. Torxem, Patradevi, Tamboxe, Ugave and Mopa are close to Banda. Ibrampur, Hasapur and Hankhane are close to Dodamarg
ASMITA POLJI
asmita@herald-goa.com
PERNEM: The villages along the Goa-Maharashtra border and nearby areas of Patradevi, Ibrampur, Chandel, Tamboxe, Torxem, Mopa, Hankhane and Hasapur are bearing the brunt on account of the sealed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left the residents depending more on the essential items supplied by the government.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced sealing of borders as persons cannot cross the borders without valid permits.
Since these villages are close to the border, all these years the residents used to travel to market at Banda and Dodamarg to purchase essential goods. However, now with the borders sealed, they have to travel all the way to Pernem or Mapusa.
People from bordering villages hardly visit the Pernem market as it is convenient for them to travel to Banda or Dodamarg for daily shopping of essential commodities etc.
It is learnt that since these people used to travel to Banda and Dodamarg for shopping they had formed a good rapport with the shopkeepers, who at times allowed them to purchase commodities on credit.
Commodity prices in Banda and Dodamarg markets are quite low, which attract a large number of people.
Torxem, Patradevi, Tamboxe, Ugave and Mopa are close to Banda. Ibrampur, Hasapur and Hankhane are close to Dodamarg.
Earlier, a few villagers and local representatives had requesting the government to provide relaxation and allow them to cross the borders to buy essential commodities. Presently, after the State government gave some relaxation to the lockdown in Goa, people have managed to visit grocery stores to buy essentials with less fear. However, there are few small grocery stores in these localities which cannot cater to all.
What has come as a relief to their woes is the fact that recently, Kadamba buses have started to ply to these villages with essential commodities such as rice, oil, spices etc and this system has been getting a good response.
Mahadev Chari, local from Hasapur said, “People prefer visiting Banda and Dodamarg since these markets are nearby. For past several years they have been visiting these markets as the locals have managed to gain the trust of the shopkeepers who at times provide them with essential items on credit. Despite Pernem being the main market, it is quite far”.
“People are facing difficulties due to the sealing of borders and are forced to travel all the way to Pernem to buy essential commodities,” former sarpanch of Patradevi-Torxem Baban D’Souza added.
On another note, the non-availability of public transport throughout the day is still a major problem especially for the senior citizens.
Locals added that many of them are facing difficulties in reaching their banks to withdraw cash to meet their daily needs.
